An old proverb once said, “Reality is only a possibility, it changes constantly.”

How true that statement is!

With the changing times, there’s a lot of firsts that are taking place as we speak: the first African-American President of the United States, the first time in years when the temperature has reached record-low temperatures, and various other things that have faded into the realms of time forever.

Juanita Hill Baird, of Jacksboro, was the quintessential American. Her decades long activism in Republican politics exemplified the best of what Benjamin Franklin could have ever hoped for.

When Franklin left Independence Hall on September 17, 1787, at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, a woman asked him, “What kind of government have you given us, Dr. Franklin?” He replied, “A republic if you can keep it.”

A few weeks ago, I was driving home after running a few errands. It had come a heavy rainfall that I thought would never let up. Finally, after 30 minutes, it passed and I was relieved. I’m not too keen on driving in bad weather.

Moments later, a small ray of sun burst through the silver-lined clouds. The small ray illuminated a part of a hillside that I never noticed before. I was very intrigued, almost spellbound by this seemingly minute sight. The more I noticed, the more it was breathtaking.

The results are in. Barrack Obama won fair and square and will become the 44th President of the United States on Jan. 20th.

Or will he?

No, I’m not a sore loser. I lost my vote in the primary and I lost it again in the general election, so I’m 0-2, but I think every American is willing to give our new president a chance. I will support him because I love my country more than I love politics.

My name is Ida Mae Whittaker. I represent your ancestors somewhere along the top of your family tree. Now, some of you are probably wondering where J.E. is this week. I told him that I felt some of you needed to hear what my generation had to say, and he allowed me to do this. Besides, don’t blame him for what is about to be said. Check your history books and see how some of us handled things. Not all, but the majority of us.

The following is a Golden Rule passage from the book, Leaves of Gold in regards to thankfulness.

I am also the type of person that if I enjoy something enough, I have to share it with others. Also, this passage was worded so good that I couldn’t have written a Thanksgiving lesson on thankfulness any better myself.

American Publisher George W. Childs once said, “Do not keep the alabaster box of your love sealed up from both your friends and from total strangers. Fill their lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them, and while their hearts can be thrilled and made happier.”

In this day and time we live in, I find this statement to be truer with each passing day. Now, with the hustle and bustle of the season, this saying is something that could certainly be put to use.

Back in 1882, Clement Clarke Moore, wrote the famous poem, Twas the Night Before Christmas. Throughout the years, it has become a tradition in many families to read the poem every Christmas season along with watching It’s a Wonderful Life and Christmas Vacation.

Last year, I received another poem from a dear friend, referred to as a Different Christmas Poem whose author is unknown. This poem described a dream that a gentleman had regarding a soldier standing guard outside his home on a snowy night on Christmas Eve.

With the aroma of hot apple cider stirring in the winter air, the joy that rings from every child in regards to Christmas vacation, and the holiday music that echoes merrily out of the car speakers, you know it’s here, ready or not.

Also, with the new additions to my family, this Christmas is going to be one of the best so far.

There is one for sale in Illinois - if the price is right. From Gov. Rod Blagojevich to Tony Resko to Rev. Jeremiah Wright to Father Michael Pflegor to William Ayers, the Chicago cesspool of politics is very deep.

One peculiar thing is that Chicagoan President-Elect Obama knows little about them, what they have been saying or what they have been doing. He, who is said to be one of the most intelligent politicians ever, is completely oblivious to what has been happening in Chicago, or his church for that matter, for the past 20 years.

In Joe Carson’s case, it showed him to be warm, honest, compassionate, gentle, but with strong convictions -- a man of real integrity and fierce loyalty.

Joe died last week in much the same way he had lived and played the game: quietly and with dignity, in the recliner beside his fireplace after a long illness that sapped his strength but never his will or his courage or his good humor.